Along with higher education institutions, primary and secondary schools are an important audience for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Throughout the year, SEVP participates in events to provide program information and updates, including those focused on kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools. In case you missed them, here are some highlights on the topic:

• There are currently 3,000 SEVP-certified K-12 schools in the United States. They enroll:
  • 5,800 F-1 students in K-6 schools,
  • 52,000 F-1 students in academic secondary schools, and
  • 11,600 students at vocational schools in high school programs.
• F-1 students cannot attend public K-8 schools because they are ineligible for SEVP certification.
• F-1 students can attend a certified public high school or secondary school (grades 9-12) for only one year and must pay the full unsubsidized cost of attendance before they arrive at a U.S. port of entry.
• F-1 students can enroll at any grade level (K-12) in a private school that is SEVP-certified.

Keep in mind that F students can only maintain their status by attending SEVP-certified schools. If one of your students wants to continue their studies into higher education, they need to be accepted to an SEVP-certified school and then have a designated school official transfer their SEVIS record from one school to the other.

All school officials at SEVP-certified schools have the same certification responsibilities. To learn about certification and recertification, use the Schools Portal. For more information on specific regulations for elementary and secondary schools, visit the K-12 resource page. You can also watch SEVP's conference presentation if you cannot attend an event or want to find program updates.